Short answer: Charles Lwanga was the chief of the royal pages at the court of Kabaka Mwanga II of Buganda. He led the young Christians at court, and was burned alive at Namugongo on 3 June 1886 in his mid-twenties. He was beatified in 1920 and canonised by Pope Paul VI on 18 October 1964. His feast day is 3 June, and he is a patron of African Catholic youth, converts and torture victims.
Last updated: 29 October 2026. Biographies disagree on small details such as his exact age, and we say so where they do.
Among the 45 Uganda Martyrs, Charles Lwanga is the name most people know. Churches, schools and religious orders carry his name, and many pilgrims come to Namugongo to honour him. This guide tells his story, explains why he matters, and shows where to visit places connected with his life.
Who was Charles Lwanga?
Charles Lwanga was a Muganda man born around 1860 in the Kingdom of Buganda, in what is now central Uganda. He served in the royal court and rose to become chief of the pages, and later the king’s major-domo. He is the leader of the group of martyrs remembered on 3 June.
He is honoured by both Catholics and Anglicans. Catholics keep his feast on 3 June, and he is listed with the 22 Catholic martyrs who were canonised together. For the wider story, see who the Uganda Martyrs were.
Charles Lwanga at the royal court
On 15 November 1885 the king ordered Lwanga, who was chief page at the time, to take over the duties of Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe, who had just been executed. That same day Lwanga is recorded as seeking baptism, with other young men, from a missionary of the White Fathers.
Over the following months he became the protector of the younger pages. In late May 1886 he secretly baptised catechumens among them, including the teenager Kizito. When the king questioned the court about giving up Christianity, the pages declared their faith, led by Lwanga, and the king condemned them to death.
The 1886 martyrdom
The condemned were marched from the court at Munyonyo towards Namugongo, the traditional execution ground. Lwanga died there on 3 June 1886. Accounts say he was separated from the others and burned in a separate place, and that he urged his executioner to repent.
His age is given as 25 in some sources and 26 in others, because his birth year is approximate. What is not disputed is the date, the place and his role as leader of the pages.
Sainthood and legacy
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 3 June 1886 | Charles Lwanga dies at Namugongo |
| 1920 | Beatified by Pope Benedict XV |
| 18 October 1964 | Canonised by Pope Paul VI at St. Peter’s Basilica |
| July 1969 | Pope Paul VI visits Uganda and makes a pilgrimage to Namugongo |
Charles Lwanga is a patron of African Catholic Youth Action, converts and torture victims. The Brothers of St. Charles Lwanga, known in Uganda as the Bannakaroli, were founded in 1927 and carry his name. His feast day is 3 June, the same day as Uganda Martyrs Day.
Places to visit
Three places tell the story of Charles Lwanga best:
- Munyonyo: where the court sat in May 1886. See our Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine guide.
- Namugongo basilica: built at the execution ground. Read the Namugongo Martyrs Shrine visitor guide.
- The Uganda Martyrs Museum: exhibits on the trial and execution. See the Uganda Martyrs Museum guide.
You can visit all three on the Uganda Martyrs trail full-day tour, or follow the route in our Uganda Martyrs trail guide. For more tours, see religious tourism in Uganda.
Charles Lwanga FAQs
Who was Saint Charles Lwanga?
He was the chief of the royal pages at the court of Kabaka Mwanga II of Buganda. He was burned alive at Namugongo on 3 June 1886 for refusing to give up his Christian faith, and was canonised in 1964.
When is the feast of Charles Lwanga?
The Catholic feast of Charles Lwanga and his companions is on 3 June, the same day as Uganda Martyrs Day. The Church of England also commemorates the Anglican martyrs on 3 June.
What is Charles Lwanga the patron saint of?
He is a patron of African Catholic Youth Action, converts and torture victims.
How old was Charles Lwanga when he died?
Sources give 25 or 26, because his birth year is approximate. He was in his mid-twenties.
Where can I visit places linked to Charles Lwanga?
Munyonyo and Namugongo, near Kampala, are the main sites. We can guide you through both. Request a free quote.
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About the author: Victoria Kayaga
Victoria Kayaga is a Ugandan-born safari expert and the founder of Afraeka Adventures, with over 7 years of experience in the East African tourism industry. She specializes in gorilla trekking, wildlife safaris and multi-country itineraries across Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania.
